Exercise machine

An exercise machine comprising:

• a two-sided frame;
• front and back crank mechanisms supported by the frame;
• each crank mechanism comprising a crankshaft journaled in the frame for rotation about a generally horizontal axis, a pair of cranks on the crankshaft extending generally radially outwardly from the crankshaft in generally opposite directions on opposite sides of the frame, and a crank pin extending laterally outwardly from each crank, generally parallel to but radially offset from the axis of rotation;
• and,
• means for causing the front and back crank mechanisms to turn in unison, with one of the crank mechanisms rotationally offset from the other so that the cranks of one of the crank mechanisms are in advance of the cranks of the other crank mechanism;
• a pair of elongate pedals supported on the crank pins of the front and back crank mechanisms, at opposite sides of the frame, the pedals being operable in a cyclic manner to turn the crank mechanisms;
• the crank pins of one of the crank mechanisms being journaled to the pedals generally adjacent one end of the pedals to permit relative rotation between the pedals and the crank pin as the pedals are operated to turn the crank mechanisms, and the crank pins of the other crank mechanism supporting the pedals generally adjacent the other end of the pedals and being reciprocally movable in front-to-back direction along the pedals as the pedals are operated to turn the crank mechanisms.

An exercise machine comprising:

• a two-sided frame;
• front and back crank mechanisms supported by the frame;
• each crank mechanism comprising a crankshaft journaled in the frame for rotation about a generally horizontal axis, a pair of cranks on the crankshaft extending generally radially outwardly from the crankshaft in generally opposite directions on opposite sides of the frame, and a crank pin extending laterally outwardly from the cranks, generally parallel to but radially offset from the axis of rotation;
• and,
• a flywheel;
• a continuous, flexible drive element engaging the front and back double crank mechanisms and the flywheel, causing the front and back crank mechanisms and the flywheel to turn in unison, with the front crank mechanism rotationally offset from the back crank mechanism so that the cranks of the front crank mechanism are in advance of the cranks of the rear crank mechanism;
• a pair of elongate pedals supported on the crank pins of the front and back crank mechanisms, at opposite sides of the frame, the pedals being operable in a cyclic manner to turn the crank mechanisms;
• the crank pins of the back crank mechanism being journaled to the pedals generally adjacent the back end of the pedals to permit relative rotation between the pedals and the crank pins as the pedals are operated to turn the crank mechanisms, and the crank pins of the front crank mechanism supporting the pedals generally adjacent the front end of the pedals and being reciprocally movable in front-to-back direction along the pedals as the pedals are operated to the crank mechanisms;
• the pedals being operable in a cyclic manner to turn the crank mechanisms.